1986 Subaru GL distributor installation

[Louis M. Brown]

Ok, can't get this bitch to fire up. The rotor spins, so the timing
belt(s) are ok.

Could someone tell me:

1 - Which side of the engine is the number one cylinder on? And how
are they ordered (I.E, is front left #1 like on Fords, and are they
numbered front to back, or side to side?)

2 - Approx. where the hell is the #1 position on the distributor
supposed to be (once it's installed?) 9 o'clock, 10 o'clock, 12?

Any tips / advice would be appreciated.



-LMB

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Ok, can't get this bitch to fire up. The rotor spins, so the timing
belt(s) are ok.

Could someone tell me:

1 - Which side of the engine is the number one cylinder on? And how
are they ordered (I.E, is front left #1 like on Fords, and are they
numbered front to back, or side to side?)

2 - Approx. where the hell is the #1 position on the distributor
supposed to be (once it's installed?) 9 o'clock, 10 o'clock, 12?

Any tips / advice would be appreciated.



-LMB

If no one replies here - try the appropriate forum at www.usmb.net .
Collectively, those guys are geniuses at keeping older soobs running!

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

 

[S]

Hi Louis!

Could someone tell me:

1 - Which side of the engine is the number one cylinder on?

If you are standing in front of the car looking at the engine, the #1
cylinder is at the front left (passenger side), #2 is front right, #3
is rear left, #4 is rear right. Probably so labeled on the block, but
may be greased over . . .

2 - Approx. where the hell is the #1 position on the distributor
supposed to be (once it's installed?) 9 o'clock, 10 o'clock, 12?

I can't get a good visualization to come up; been too long . . . but .
.. .

I have an '85 GL/RX (EA82T, but ignition same as EA82) sitting under a
foot of snow in the back yard. I'll dig it out and check for you
tomorrow if you like. I have only a very rudimentary internet
connection at home (telnet); email me directly
<(e-mail address removed)> so I'll have your address and I'll get
back with you.

Quick tip for future reference, use a Sharpie to sketch the plug
wire/distributor cap layout somewhere inside of the engine compartment
_before_ you pull the wires loose. Saved me many times.

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[johninKY]

Firing order is 1 3 2 4.

What I do is rotate the engine until the ignition timing marks on the
flywheel are in view. I line up the pointer with 20 BTDC. Doesn't have
to be very percise.

Then install the distributor with the rotor pointing at #1 terminal.
Can't recall which way the rotor turns but I think it is CCW. Once you
have determined which way the rotor turns install all the plug wires in
the correct firring order.

You have only a 50/50 chance of being right going this route. If the
engine dosen't fire, pull up on the distributor and rotate the engine one
full revolution and drop the distributor back into place.

You'll learn you can rotate the distributor a bunch by hand when the
mounting bolt is not installed. Helps to turn it in small increments will
trying to start the engine the first time.


The bad thing about the Subaru distributor is the mounting tab. The
distributor can be installed a tooth off and still be adjusted so the
engine runs just fine but the mounting bolt can not be installed. The
point is the distributor can only be installed one way.

 

[Louis M. Brown]

Firing order is 1 3 2 4.

What I do is rotate the engine until the ignition timing marks on the
flywheel are in view. I line up the pointer with 20 BTDC. Doesn't have
to be very percise.

Would those be little dimple looking things? Or the little white dot?
(Not sure if the white dot was intended to be there, it's not terribly
regularly shaped.)
(There's like 3 dimples/holes, directly visible from the passenger
side of the car through the 'window' on the bell housing, )
There is the stub pointing towards the flywheel, so which 'mark' do I
line this SOB up with?

Then install the distributor with the rotor pointing at #1 terminal.
Can't recall which way the rotor turns but I think it is CCW. Once you
have determined which way the rotor turns install all the plug wires in
the correct firring order.

You have only a 50/50 chance of being right going this route. If the
engine dosen't fire, pull up on the distributor and rotate the engine one
full revolution and drop the distributor back into place.

You'll learn you can rotate the distributor a bunch by hand when the
mounting bolt is not installed. Helps to turn it in small increments will
trying to start the engine the first time.

Yea, I know, done distributors before, but only on Fords / GMCs....
'course, there was a bit more room to work with under the hood.

The bad thing about the Subaru distributor is the mounting tab. The
distributor can be installed a tooth off and still be adjusted so the
engine runs just fine but the mounting bolt can not be installed. The
point is the distributor can only be installed one way.

Exactly! That's what's kinda making this whole thing a PITA.

-LMB